The last time Will Witherspoon played for the St. Louis Rams was in October 2009, right before former general manager Billy Devaney traded him to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFL's lone deadline deal that season.
Now, Witherspoon reportedly is making a return to the Rams. The team has reached an agreement with the 11-year veteran, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported early Friday.
Among three veteran linebackers to pay free-agents visits to the Rams last month, Witherspoon was the "favorite" to sign over Takeo Spikes and Chris Gocong, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.
As for Gocong, he likely will sign elsewhere as the Post-Dispatch also reported Gocong has an offer on the table from an undisclosed team.
Witherspoon was named the Rams' MVP in 2007 after leading the team in tackles for two consecutive seasons. He has experience under coach Jeff Fisher, assistant head coach Dave McGinnis and new linebackers coach Frank Bush after playing for the Tennessee Titans the past three seasons.
Witherspoon has 936 career tackles and 26 career sacks.
First-round draft pick Alec Ogletree is expected to join James Laurinaitis and Jo-Lonn Dunbar in the starting lineup, but the Rams still need veteran insurance. Witherspoon is expected to fill that role off the bench.
In other Rams news, veteran safety Quintin Mikell is not expected to re-sign with the team. Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera recently acknowledged the team has a "little curiosity" regarding Mikell.
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